Davis won't duck Obama

AUSTIN – Democratic Sen. Wendy Davis said Thursday she is not running away from President Obama despite Republicans use of the president and the policies they disdain to slam her bid for governor.

"I'm definitely planning on being at the celebration" that President Obama is scheduled to attend in Austin in April marking the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Davis said at a forum sponsored by the Texas Tribune. "I'm excited about greeting our president there and our former presidents, who I think are also planning to be there."

Besides Obama, who is giving the keynote speech and will be accompanied by his wife, First Lady Michelle Obama, the Civil Rights Summit will feature former presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

Davis made the remarks when Tribune Editor-in-Chief Evan Smith asked whether she would campaign with the president if Obama offered to do so, or avoid appearing with him.

Democratic Bill White, the former Houston mayor, made news in his 2010 race against Republican Gov. Rick Perry when he opted against appearing with Obama during stops in Austin and Dallas. White instead stuck to a campaign schedule that included Midland, Abilene and Alvarado.

Attorney General Greg Abbott, the Republican nominee for governor, has tied Davis to Obama in a negative way – including when questions were raised about Abbott appearing with Ted Nugent last month despite the rocker's incendiary comments about the president, women and immigrants.

"If you want to talk about people who associate with people, Wendy Davis is more associated with Barack Obama than anybody in the state. I don't think there's anybody in the state who's disliked more than Barack Obama," Abbott said then.

Smith asked Davis if she would duck if someone wanted to take her photo with Obama.

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